NHL notes: Leafs-Wings set to meet in 2014 Winter Classic

Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (L) talks with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on the field at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan February 9, 2012, following an announcement that the Red Wings will host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium on the University of Michigan campus in the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic. (REUTERS/Rebecca Cook)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs will finally get their chance to play the Detroit Red Wings outdoors.

The Winter Classic meeting between the Leafs and Wings, originally scheduled for last New Year's Day, was shelved due to the NHL lockout.

But, as expected, the league will announce Sunday at Joe Louis Arena that the 2014 Winter Classic will see the two Original Six rivals meet at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Jan. 1, according to MLive.com.

The NHL will also unveil the throwback jerseys the Leafs and Wings will wear in the Winter Classic at the press conference.

A crowd of 110,000 is expected for the Winter Classic.

The Leafs and Wings will be division rivals for the outdoor game after NHL realignment for 2013-14 shuffled Detroit back to the Eastern Conference.

CROSBY NOT CONCUSSED

Looks like Sidney Crosby got off a little lucky when he was clipped in the face by a stray puck last weekend.

Although the Pittsburgh Penguins star has a broken jaw -- he also needed some dental work done -- and will be out for a few weeks, he was not concussed on the play, his agent, Pat Brisson, insisted in an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

A report out of Philadelphia said Crosby was likely out for the rest of the season with concussion symptoms but the Penguins expect him to be back in the playoffs.

"Contrary to recent rumours there is no sign of any concussion symptoms or concussion at this time," Penguins general manager Ray Shero told TSN. "We will continue to monitor things as we go forward but at this time we are dealing with a broken jaw."

Crosby met with his teammates and coach Dan Bylsma, according to the Post-Gazette, before an optional practice Thursday but did not speak with the media.

The Penguins also signed defenceman Harrison Ruopp to a three-year, entry-level contract Thursday. Ruopp had one goal and 15 assists in 65 games with Prince Albert of the WHL this season.

BOUCHER 'SHOCKED'

Former Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher admitted he was shocked by his firing on March 24.

"But that's the business and you have to deal with it," Boucher told the Tampa Tribune. "It's something you have to deal with and it puts a lot of things in perspective. This is difficult. It's a tough one, but adversity makes you grow."

Boucher coached the Lightning for two and half seasons before being fired by general manager Steve Yzerman after going 13-17-1 this year. Yzerman hired Jon Cooper as Boucher's replacement.

"Steve and I had had a brief conversation that day and he said he wanted to make a change," Boucher said. "We didn't have any problems. We stuck together as a team and as a staff and made a lot happen.

"You can't control injuries and you can't control personnel that's available and not available."

MITCHELL DONE FOR YEAR

Los Angeles Kings defenceman Willie Mitchell is officially done for the year due to a wonky knee.

But Mitchell, who recently had another surgical procedure on his bad knee, could be forced to retire due to the injury, according to Kings general manager Dean Lombardi.

"At least we got some finality that he's not coming back this year," Lombardi told Mayors Manor. "Now I'm getting some information, and I don't like speaking to it because I don't have it all, but I guess it's safe to say that there would be a legitimate concern now about whether he plays next year. In terms of his career, that's what I think we have to figure out now where he is health-wise in terms of his career."

Mitchell, who hasn't played at all this season, is in the first year of a two-year, $7 million contract.

BRIEFLY

San Jose Sharks defenceman Marc-Edouard Vlasic was fined $8,378 for slashing Minnesota Wild forward Dany Heatly Wednesday. Vlasic wasn't suspended for the play, which resulted in a major penalty, even though Heatly is expected to miss games as a result of being slashed ... The St. Louis Blues signed forward Chris Porter to a two-year, $1.35 million contract extension. Porter, 28, has one goal and one assist in 15 games this season ... Hockey Hall of Fame chairman and CEO Bill Hay will retire July 31. Hay was appointed chairman and CEO of the Hall in 1998 after 17 years on the selection committee.